Interview with our gorgeous couple, Meredith + Brian:
HOW DID YOU MEET?
She Said: Brian and I met four years ago. Brian was living in Chicago and traveling to NJ on assignment at the company where I work. Our first conversation was at the nearby gym, as cliché as it sounds, we met on the treadmill. He recognized me from work, although, I’m pretty sure I had never seen him before that day. After a random discussion about wine and food, (If you had to give up one, would you give up cheese or steak? Is wine from Argentina called Argentine wine or Argentinean wine? So you live in the Westin hotel?), he finally asked me out to dinner.
He Said: I was traveling to NJ every week for a long term consulting gig, and I kept noticing this beautiful girl walking around the halls of the office. She was new to the company, gorgeous, single, and had no clue that I existed. Now with a target in place, I was plagued with the dilemma of how to ask her out without compromising my job. One lucky day, she happened to hop on a treadmill right next to me at the gym. I did my best to seize the opportunity to start a dialogue. I was soaked in sweat, out of breath, and only able to blurt out two or three words in between gasps for air, but I guess all of that impressed her, because I got a date.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE?
She Said: His boyish good looks and charm! I knew after the first date he was the one. I loved that he loved sailing, something I always wanted to learn. I loved that he was from the Midwest and had some Kentucky native in his veins.
He Said: She couldn’t get enough of my Speedo.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
She Said: He proposed on a deserted Island in Exuma, Bahamas. We chartered a boat for Thanksgiving, just the two of us. Our first day of sailing, we anchored at a spot and set out to hike and explore an island. When we got to the highest point on the island, where you could see turquoise water in every direction, he took a knee and proposed.
He Said: Meredith is a true beach bum. While on holiday, sailing through the Exumas, I teased her with the idea of hunting down an exotic beach on a deserted island. I really had no clue if the exotic beach existed, but the island was deserted, she was excited and I had a ring jingling in my pocket. After a long hot walk through the middle of the island, we found a large open space above the trees with miles of untouched, natural views in all directions. I took a deep breath dropped to a knee and finally let Meredith know how I felt about her and the possibility of a life together. Shortly after her saying “Yes”, we found our exotic beach and enjoyed an afternoon swim on our own private beach.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING?
She Said: We wanted something laid back yet casually elegant. We both love the beach, and being near the ocean. We also wanted an intimate wedding, not a large or traditional affair. The location we picked had everything we wanted and was close for both our parents living in Florida. Our inspiration for the color theme was the turquoise blue water against the bright green palm trees.
He Said: A wise man once told me “Happy wife = Happy Life”. Meredith had the vision so I followed.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE:
She Said: Originally we had a date set for June in Rhode Island, then we found out we were pregnant, and decided to move our date up a few months. Since it was winter and snowy in NJ and Chicago, we immediately thought destination wedding but also someplace that friends and family could easily get to. Brian’s parents live near Captiva. He introduced me to the idea of South Seas Resort and we booked the venue sight unseen.
He Said: The venue was a logical choice. South Seas had an available day, they were willing to work with our short time-line, and the location and grounds are beautiful. The decision was very easy.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE?
She Said: Aside from the challenges of planning a destination wedding, the most challenging part was getting it all done in a short eight weeks, including finding a dress and a custom suit! Leia, at I Do I Do Bridal Studio, was a lifesaver getting me the perfect dress to wear, one that did not make me look five months pregnant. We booked all of our vendors over the phone, and everyone we worked with was fantastic and extremely accommodating for our quick wedding. Rhonda Decherd, our event coordinator at South Seas, was amazing and took care of all the details the day of our wedding.
He Said: Challenge? There are no challenges when you let your fiancé handle all the details.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING?
She Said: I loved the café lights we used in the outdoor lawn area. They cast the perfect amount of light and set a romantic tone especially with the full moon and the fog that rolled in toward the end of the night.
He Said: The natural beauty that mother-nature put on display for our special day – outdoors amongst the South Florida mangroves and palm trees, a stunning sunset followed by a full moon and brilliant stars.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS?
She Said: Our moms and sisters helped with our DIY lantern centerpieces which we decorated with some sea shells, sand and candles the day before the wedding. We found some inexpensive antique white picture frames to use for table numbers, and we used the girls’ bouquets as floral accents on the tables.
He Said: Ask Meredith, she was the brains behind the DIY details.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
She Said: My new husband giving the most amazing speech, toasting our friends and family, and announcing to everyone that we are expecting our first baby!
He Said: The moment I first laid eyes on her, as she stood in front of me just moments before she went from fiancé to wife. I shed a couple of tears (grown men do cry), wore a grin from ear-to-ear and basked in the amazing view in front of me.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE:
She Said: A simple butter cream frosted double-tier cake decorated with white chocolate sea shells. The bakery colored a few of the shells to match our turquoise theme. The cake was a chocolate and vanilla layer cake with a dark chocolate pudding filling. My favorite!
He Said: Delicious!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER?
She Said: Amazing! Fun! Easy!! Sara and Jason found a way to make us feel relaxed just hours before our wedding. Searching for a photographer can be overwhelming. Once I stumbled upon their blog and amazing photos I knew immediately that I wanted Concept Photography. Meeting Sara and Jason the day of our wedding, confirmed that we made the right choice. Brian and I were lucky to have an awesome couple to work, laugh, and hang out with on our wedding day!
He Said: Fantastic! Sara and Jason’s high energy and creative ideas made the picture taking process fun. They were very personable and quickly went from acquaintance to friend status.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE?
She Said: We have our first baby coming in July! We just found out it’s a baby boy and we are both so excited!
He Said: Baby! 2013 is shaping up to be an incredible year.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Venue: South Seas Island Resort, Captiva FL
Event Coordinator: Rhonda Decherd
Dress: I Do… I Do… Bridal Studio, Morristown NJ
Florist: Floral Artistry of Sanibel
Cake: Mason’s Bakery, Ft Myers FL
Photographer: Concept Photography
Officiant: Dr. Dan Lamey
Hair & Make-up: Brittney Nunez and Beverly Harvey, Ft Myers FL
Entertainment: Jeff Key & Thank you for the Dance Entertainment